Handbook of the federated Malay states - Sabrizain.org

Federated Malay States. 65
most important of these are the results of recent enterprise,
and may be expected to add materially to the prosperity of
the State.
Perak presents opportunities of sport to the gunner, second Sport.
only in the Federated States to those offered by the State of
Pahang, and obtainable at the cost of less time, and probably
of less money, than in the Eastern State.
The district of Krian has long been noted for its excellent
snipe shooting, the season for which is usually from about
the middle of September to the middle of December. It is
true that in recent years the bags made have not attained
the plethoric proportions of those made five or six years ago,
but the number which can now be procured upon a
favourable day will be sufficient to satisfy all but the most
insatiable. The decline in numbers is probably attributable
in part to the better drainage of the land, and in part to the
increase in the number of sportsmen, for which the new
railway is responsible.
In Matang and Lower Perak also very fair snipe shooting
is to be had in favourable weather, but success depends in no
small measure in all these districts upon an accurate knowledge
of locality upon the part of the sportsman or his
attendant. A stranger trusting to his own unaided
intelligence will almost certainly return empty-handed.
Later in the year, about Christmas time, a very pretty
mixed bag may be made in a trip down the Perak Eiver from
Kuala Kangsar to Teluk Anson. Shooting on the islands
and river banks may result in a bag including snipe, teal,
golden plover, and two or three varieties of pigeons.
Those who seek for elephants or bison must go further
afield into the jungles of Batang Padang or Upper Perak,
but the distances are usually not great, and a two days^
journey will, as a rule, be ample to bring the sportsman
within the neighbourhood of their haunts. As, however^
these animals seldom remain for any length of time in the
same place, it is essential that every trip should be preceded
by enquiry from the most reliable native sources as to their
present whereabouts.
There are excellent cricket grounds at Taiping and Ipoh,
which are periodically the scenes of most interesting local
matches. Grrounds of minor excellence, but of practical value,
are to be found in most of the towns which form the headquarters
of the various districts. The game is played with